“When can babies start to see faces?”
Parents ask:
“My newborn frequently seems to stare at me, but can she actually see my face at this stage?”
Lovevery experts answer:
Your baby can likely see your face, but only when you’re up close—and not as clearly as you can see hers ❤️
Vision is the least developed sense at birth. While there was a lot to hear, taste, and smell in the womb, there was little to look at. At birth, your baby’s vision is quite blurry, but it gradually sharpens as their eye muscles and ocular neurons strengthen. It will take many years for their vision to become as clear as an adult’s.
In the first few months, your baby can focus best on objects and people 8 to 10 inches away—the perfect distance to gaze at you while lying in your arms. Each time your baby looks at you, their brain gathers information that refines their vision.
Research shows that time spent looking at high-contrast images also supports the development of visual perception—the brain’s ability to receive, interpret, and respond to visual stimuli. The Black & White Card Sets from The Looker Play Kit may help your baby learn to focus and encourage their eyes to work together.
Although your baby’s vision is fuzzy, they’re naturally drawn to human faces or face-like shapes. By 2 months, they’ll likely show a preference for your face over unfamiliar ones.
Meet the Lovevery expert who answered this question:
Kathy Reschke, Ph.D.
Kathy Reshcke, Ph.D., is an early childhood education expert with 15 years of experience teaching young children.
Learn more about the research
Mondloch, C. J., Lewis, T. L., Budreau, D. R., Maurer, D., Dannemiller, J. L., Stephens, B. R., & Kleiner-Gathercoal, K. A. (1999). Face perception during early infancy. Psychological Science, 10(5), 419-422.
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Posted in: 0 - 3 Months, Sensory Development, Vision, Learning & Cognitive Skills
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